Fated Love With the Billionaire
Chapter 313 Perhaps Will Lose Everything

Chapter 313: Chapter 313 Perhaps Will Lose Everything

Chen Ningxi knew that Cheng Qiaobei was clearer-minded than ever at this moment. He understood better than anyone that his current situation was difficult. Rather than being trapped in Jade Jiali, it was better for him to carve out a world that truly belonged to him.

Not being doubted or suppressed, and not being bound by envy—even if the road ahead was destined to be rugged, he had decided to walk this path. Chen Ningxi had no reason not to support him.

"You’ve made up your mind, then go for it."

Cheng Qiaobei pinched her cheek, the light in his eyes gentler than the moonlight. He held her hand and tucked it into his pocket, saying as they walked:

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll fail? Entrepreneurship comes with big risks, especially in the hotel industry. Each year, hordes of people enter the field, and even more fail and leave. If I end up among the latter, I might lose everything."

Chen Ningxi’s gaze was unwavering. "I know the risks you’re talking about. I’m mentally prepared for them. Just do your best. We’re still young; we have the capital to make mistakes. But if you succeed this time, it’ll be the result of your hard work, something you will have fully earned."

Cheng Qiaobei turned his face slightly toward her. "Alright, I’ll do my best."

Chen Ningxi gripped his hand tightly. "Go for it!"

But when Cheng Qiaobei decided to do something, it was never on a whim. The time they’d spent together might not be exceedingly long, but it wasn’t short either—she’d already glimpsed his knack for planning ahead.

"How long have you been considering this?"

Cheng Qiaobei admitted openly, "For a while now."

"Have you already started preparing?"

Cheng Qiaobei worried she might get upset. "Let me warn you first, don’t get angry."

Chen Ningxi paused mid-step, a vague guess forming in her mind. "Alright, tell me, how far along are you?"

Cheng Qiaobei leaned close to her ear and whispered softly. Chen Ningxi’s eyes widened. "You actually..." She sighed helplessly, "You really are something else."

...

As the year ended, the festive atmosphere on the street grew thicker. Miao Shunkun, tasked with logistics affairs, knocked on Chen Ningxi’s office door and only spoke after sitting down:

"Manager Chen, here’s a document from headquarters. They want us to carry out electricity safety campaigns at each district before the year ends. Secretary Lei asked me to get your opinion on how our unit should handle this year’s campaign."

In previous years, this had always been Lei Dechang’s responsibility. For it to suddenly fall to her this year—there was definitely something going on.

Chen Ningxi replied, "This task has always been Secretary Lei’s responsibility, hasn’t it? You don’t need to ask me. He’s in charge of publicity; I have no opinions."

Miao Shunkun said, "Secretary Lei mentioned that anything involving procurement still has to go through you."

"... What’s going on?"

Chen Ningxi recalled what Manager Bai had mentioned to her before retiring: that Miao Shunkun, who had been handling logistics for years, was notorious for maximizing procurement. He had longstanding relationships across various channels and often pushed procurement to its limit. His connections included a relative in an important position at headquarters, making him hard to offend.

It seemed Lei Dechang wanted to avoid stepping on toes and had simply passed this hot potato to her.

Now it all made sense.

Chen Ningxi opened the file and proposed several options for the format of promotional materials, providing a range for the quantities to be ordered.

She put the file down and asked, "What did you order last year for promotional materials?"

Miao Shunkun replied, "Last year, we ordered ten thousand copies of ’A Letter on Electricity Safety’ and three thousand sets of couplets and lucky characters."

On hearing those figures, Chen Ningxi couldn’t help but find it laughable.

"Alright, leave the document here for now. I’ll check with higher-ups to see how much budget they’re allocating for our publicity this year."

She didn’t reject him outright but didn’t agree either.

Miao Shunkun left looking deflated.

It was clear he wasn’t happy.

Chen Ningxi lowered her gaze to the file on the desk. The neighboring city, Changyue, had a population and urban scale comparable to Danjiang. After making some calls, she learned that Changyue Power had only ordered one thousand letters and two thousand sets of couplets this year.

After hanging up, Chen Ningxi had a firm idea in mind.

Once she finished her immediate tasks, she called Miao Shunkun back to the office.

Miao Shunkun knocked on the door with newfound enthusiasm, holding a funding approval form for the Spring Festival promotional materials in his hand. Chen Ningxi pretended not to notice and invited him to sit. She then said:

"I consulted the higher-ups; they’ve indicated that this year’s funding allocation for promotional materials will be limited. Considering the budget, the recommendation is five hundred copies of the letter and five hundred sets of couplets."

Miao Shunkun’s eyes widened. "Just that little? That’s nowhere near enough!"

Chen Ningxi replied, "Last year, when I joined the campaign, we handed out flyers in the city center. How many people took them? And even among those who did, how many didn’t toss them away within a few minutes, leaving scraps of paper littering the streets and damaging our city’s image? For practicality’s sake, the original plan was to order just three hundred sets of couplets and lucky characters."

"Three hundred definitely wouldn’t be enough," Miao Shunkun objected, shaking his head repeatedly.

Chen Ningxi said, "That’s what I said at the time too, but the higher-ups weren’t too happy. In the end, I was rebutted, and they told me that a neighboring city, with a larger population base and more business, only ordered three hundred."

Miao Shunkun was speechless, unable to make further arguments.

When it came to publicity work, Chen Ningxi prioritized practicality. Flashy, wasteful initiatives simply didn’t make sense.

"For the five hundred copies, we’ll buy paper for the couplets and lucky characters, then invite retired staff and older workers from our unit who enjoy writing calligraphy to help us out. This will not only assist with our campaign but also give them a chance to contribute and stay involved. They really like these kinds of activities." She smiled and asked, "What do you think of my suggestion?"

Miao Shunkun had no choice but to agree. With a forced smile, he said, "It’s good, very good."

"Since you agree, we’ll go ahead with this plan." Chen Ningxi returned the file to him. "Draft a funding application, and as soon as it’s approved, you can start procurement."

Miao Shunkun stood up. "I’ll get started right away."

As his figure disappeared at the door, the smile on Chen Ningxi’s face faded completely.

Honestly, what kind of schemes do people come up with?

That evening, Cheng Qiaobei had a business dinner, so he wouldn’t be home for dinner. Chen Ningxi decided to head over to her parents’ place for a meal.

She entered without noticing the leather shoes on the shoe rack and headed straight for the kitchen, poking her head in to ask Ye Yujun:

"What’s cooking tonight?"

Ye Yujun was plating freshly stir-fried vegetables. "Off work already? Stir-fried mixed vegetables."

Hearing the name of the dish, Chen Ningxi immediately realized, "Dad’s home, isn’t he?"

Ye Yujun said, "Yes, surprisingly enough. For the first time, he’s actually home on time."

Chen Ningxi glanced at the study’s closed door, guessing he was inside talking on the phone.

"Go wash your hands," Ye Yujun urged her. "Call your dad to the table."

Just as Chen Ningxi was about to open the door, she caught snippets of her father’s low voice through the slightly ajar door:

"Regarding these matters, please rest assured. I’m willing to accept any form of investigation or supervision."

Chen Ningxi froze in place. Though she had no idea who was on the other end of the call, it was clear that the topic at hand was serious.

"Ningxi, why are you just standing there? Call your dad to dinner!"

The sudden shout startled everyone, inside and outside the room.

Feeling awkward, Chen Ningxi started to move, but the study door was abruptly slammed shut.

She furrowed her brow and hesitantly knocked on the door. "Dad, Mom says dinner’s ready."

Through the door, Chen Weichuan replied, "Tell your mom I’ll come after finishing this call."

Chen Ningxi responded, "Alright."

Returning to the dining room and sitting down, she felt a lingering unease in her chest.